Militants in northeast India have international links: Tripura CM

Agartala, May 6 (IANS) Militant outfits of northeast India have links with international terrorist groups and intelligence wings of foreign countries are misguiding the youth of the region, according to Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar. “Pakistani and American intelligence wings are misguiding the youth in the northeast to join militant outfits and create trouble in the region,” Sarkar said Monday after inaugurating a training centre for surrendered militants at Lachi, 80 km south of here.

He, however, refused to identify the international terrorist groups with whom the northeast militants have links.

Sarkar said: “Common cadres of the militant groups are fed up with life in the jungles. Moreover, there is resentment because extremist leaders lead a luxurious life in Bangladesh and other foreign countries while cadres have no food, no place to stay and no shelter.”

In the past 10 years, about 1,250 militants from various outfits have surrendered in Tripura.

To economically rehabilitate the surrendered extremists, the Tripura government has so far provided vocational training to 710 surrendered militants.

The 18 month long vocational training programme, being provided in four separate training centres across the state, includes car driving and maintenance, carpentry, electrical work, computer use, besides sports and education.

The chief minister appealed to the militants to come to the mainstream and help in developmental activities.

“The Tripura government is providing all benefits available as per the package announced by the government of India for the surrendered militants of the northeast,” Sarkar added.

According to a police document, two banned militant outfits - the National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) and All Tripura Tiger Force (ATTF) have been fighting for an independent Tripura.

“The two outfits, whose total strength is of about 1,200 cadres, have close links with other northeast terrorist groups, including the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) and United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA),” the document said.